Carmen could have been mildly insulted by Ash’s words about a rich person wanting to look good to their friends. But she knew many of her mother’s close circle only gave money to those in need for that exact reason. That and for the tax benefits. Equally, Ash’s story conjured up discomfort for the privileged life Carmen had been born into, where financial worries were non-existent. Carmen’s life through school and university had been easy in that respect, in comparison to Ash’s. It made her even more admiring of the woman who sat opposite her.
“Your mum sounds lovely, talking about you like that to her clients.”
Ash’s eyes shadowed. “She had her moments, yes.”
The air between them was suddenly a tad uncomfortable.
“Sorry, Ash. Now it seems I’ve hit a nerve. I’m—”
Ash raised a hand. “No, it’s okay. My parents died in a car crash about twelve years ago. We weren’t close when they died, despite what my mum had done for me at sixteen.” She rubbed at the back of her neck. “They were homophobic. Really didn’t handle me coming out to them very well when I was going on seventeen.” Ash’s troubled eyes betrayed her calm demeanour.
Carmen wanted to touch Ash’s arm or hand or do something that would show her concern for what had clearly been a hard time in Ash’s life. But they weren’t at that point yet in this friendship, were they? “Oh, I’m so sorry.” Carmen took a deep breath. “My brother is gay, and my mother is… She’s never fully accepted it. His boyfriend, for example, has never been invited to Christmas lunch, even though Tristan’s been with him for over six years now. I know her actions haven’t affected me directly, but I can at least empathise somewhat.”
“Is your brother okay?”
“He is, actually. He’s very happy with his life. It took him a while to get there, given the way she reacted when he first told her. But she has calmed down since then, and apart from Christmas, it’s generally okay. I think he knows she does love him, even if she doesn’t understand him. My father is better about it—he’s always been the one with the live-and-let-live attitude. Even so, he hardly ever asks about Tristan’s life other than his work. I know Tristan puts on a brave face, but it hurts him.”
“Isn’t that funny? It was my dad who was better about it than my mum too. When I was thinking about telling them, I always assumed she, being such a nurturing woman, would be okay with it. But she really wasn’t.”
The pain in Ash’s eyes pushed Carmen’s earlier reticence into the shadows. She placed her hand on Ash’s forearm. Their gazes locked, and there was gratitude for Carmen’s action in Ash’s expression. There was something else too. Carmen couldn’t name it, but it left her feeling a tad breathless. “I’m sorry you went through that. And I admire you for being the strong person you are now, despite all that.”
“Thank you.” Ash exhaled and rolled her shoulders.
The action pulled her arm away from Carmen’s touch, and the loss she felt seemed out of proportion to the moment.
“God, families,” Ash murmured, her gaze still holding Carmen’s.
Carmen nodded. She was strangely warmed by this odd connection they’d found between their histories.
Ash sat up straight. “Enough of that. Let’s go back to talking about near misses with rhinos.” She grinned.
Carmen glanced at her watch, and her heart sank. It was past ten already. How had they spent three hours together, and it felt like only thirty minutes? “Ugh, I’m sorry, but I ought to go. I’ve got another early start and—”
“It’s okay.” Ash nodded in understanding. “I hadn’t realised it had got that late, actually.”
“Me neither. I…I’ve really enjoyed this evening, but it’s flown by.”
“And we never even got to the part about the crocodile in the campsite in northern Australia.”
Carmen gasped and shuddered. “Perhaps I don’t need to hear that one.” She shook her head. “I’m beginning to think you’ve got a bit of a death wish.”
Ash laughed. “I don’t actually go looking for these adventures, you know. They just kind of happen.”
“Hmm, well, remind me never to go on holiday with you.” Carmen startled as she realised how forward that might sound, but Ash’s warm smile kept her from trying to take the words back. She grinned sheepishly instead and reached for her handbag. “Okay, I’m going to go in search of a cab.”
“I’ll keep you company until you find one. I’m going to walk home.”
“You sure? Will it be safe?”
“I’ll be fine. I only take the main roads, and it’s not that far. But thanks for your concern.”
“Okay, I believe you. But would you text me when you’re home?”
Ash’s smile was even warmer than a moment ago. “I will.”
They walked close together, not quite touching. Even so, Carmen could feel the warmth of Ash’s arm near hers. It comforted her, but she couldn’t for the life of her figure out why. It’s because we’ve formed a connection this evening . The shared interest in travel, the fact that they’d both had homophobic parents—those were the sorts of things people bonded over, weren’t they?
People buzzed around them on the busy street, but within seconds Ash spotted a cab with its light on and waved it down.
“Thanks, Ash. And I don’t just mean for the cab. This was a wonderful evening.”
“Wasn’t it? I love meeting new people, hearing their stories. And we barely touched on
